Shivaji, till date is the most popular figure of Maratha History. He was born in the hill-fort of Shivner near Junnar in the year 1627, or in 1630(due dispute in records among historians).Shivaji was the son of Jijabai and Shahji Bhonsle. Shahji was an officer serving the state of Bijapur, who was least concerned for his family . Shivaji spent his formative years under the care and guidance of his mother and senior guardian , Dadaji Khonddev. Jijabai moulded his nascent soul with the ideals of heroism and spiritual-cleanliness, exemplefied through story-telling. Dadaji Khonddev also assisted her in the enterprise.

Shivaji lived upto their expectations. He grew up with the dream of carving out an independent Hindu kingdom. His first step was collecting a band of tribal people called "Mavalis" of the Western Ghats to form his army.

Shivaji started his career at the age of 19. Availing of the growing weakness of the Sultan of Bijapur, he seized the hill-fort of Torna, near Pune. And constructed the fort of Rajgarh , Kondana and Purandhar.This move kindled the wrath of the Sultan of Bijapur who arrested Shivaji`s father and confiscated his Jagir. This restricted Shivaji`s venture for a while. Meanwhile, in 1656 he gained foothold in the small Maratha principality of Javli.

Shivaji got involved into a strife with the Mughals for the first time in 1657, because he attacked the Mughal districts of Ahmednagar and Junnar. He was proved wrong since the Mughals engrossed in the conquest of Bijapur , was equally careful towards these two holdings. Shivaji suffered a defeat in the hands of the Mughals. A peace treary was concluded between the opposing parties. Afterwards , the energetic Shivaji extended his sway to the North Konkan and conquered upto Mahad in the south.

The conflict with Bijapur renewed , when the Sultan sent against him an enormous army under the brave commander , Afzal Khan in 1659. Afzal, smelling difficulty in the subjugation of the Marathas , resorted to trickery. He invited Shivaji for a private meeting in the fort of Pratapgarh, pretending friendship. Shivaji, however suspecting treachery, managed to learn about the evil scheme of Afzal to slain him. He attended the meeting , being armed under disguise. The robust Afzal enclosed Shivaji into a tight embrace to plunge the dagger into his opponent. But the prompt Shivaji, thwarted the attack with the camouflaged shield worn inside, and finished Afzal off ,with his "Baghnakha" or gloves with sharp steel claws. It then became easy for Shivaji to overpower the leaderless Bijapuri troops. The Marathas also looted the rival`s resources. The Bijapuris still waited for their chance. And in July 1660,the Marathas was expelled from the fort of Panhala by this hostile power, although it was an insignificant victory for Bijapur.

The Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb alarmed by the rise of Marathas appointed Shaista Khan, his uncle and Governor of Deccan, to deal with the disruptive elements, the Marathas. He took over Poona, the Fort of Chakan and forced the Marathas to evacuate the Kalyan district. Neverthelesss, nothing could enervate the persevering Marathas. Even two years of war-struggle could not drain them of their vitality, and moral strength. The golden opportunity of a regain of previous aura , came for Shivaji on the night of 15th April, 1563. He stealthily entered into the city of Poona, with 400 of his best soldiers. They could reach the abode of Shaista Khan , badly injure him and kill his son.Abul Fath in the very epicenter of Mughal authority. Taken aback, by this sudden raid, the Mughal soldiers were rendered powerless.

Emboldened by this super-success ,Shivaji embarked on a conquest-programme of the strategic port of Surat, the richest port in the west.

Exasperated, by this Maratha disturbance in the Deccan, Aurangzeb , ordered Jai Singh, the ruler of Amber, and Dilir Khan, the two efficient Mughal generals, to conduct an expedition in the Deccan to devastate Shivaji. He cunningly generated a circle of enemies around Shivaji, and occupied the fort of Purandhar. The Marathas imparted a tough resistance. But had to sign in a peace agreement of the Treaty of Purandhar, on 22nd June,1665. Shivaji had no other options left than to surrender his 23 forts to the Mughal suzerainty . He was also asked to present himself before the emperor in Agra.

Accordingly, Shivaji and his son, Shambhuji, arrived at the Mughal imperial court in 1666.Aurangzeb, performed a breach of his promise, that he had communicated through Jai Singh. He humiliated Shivaji with an offer of a diminished nobility position, controlling 5,000 men only . Shivaji, who had been such an eminent king,was severly hurt. His protest only placed him in house-arrest.

Shivaji was determined to teach the Mughals a memorable lesson. He simulated illness. And later continued his drama, by acting that he was keen to thank his well-wishers, the pious Brahmins who had prayed sincerely for his recovery. He began sending out sweetmeats to Brahmins, mendicants and nobles. After a few days , when the guards had relaxed the strictness of their vigil, and led the sweets , go unchecked, Shivaji and Shambhuji, furtively concealed themselves into two of the empty sweet-chests and escaped. They ran to Muttra, where Shambhuji exhausted of the strainous journey was left by Shivaji , under the safe custody of a Maratha Brahmin, and headed for his destination.

For the succeeding three years, Shivaji maintained the air of peace with the Mughals . Aurangzeb conferred upon him the title of "Raja" and a "Jagir" in Berar. He also elevated Shambhuji to the rank of a noble of 5,000.

Rivalry was restored in 1670. The tussle between the Mughal Viceroy, Shah Alam and his Lieutenant, Dilir Khan shook the strength of the imperial group. Shivaji forged ahead to retrieve all the forts , submitted by him in 1665. He furthered his advance, by enchroaching upon Mughal provinces and vanquished the imperial force. Such was his achievement, that he demanded payment of "Chauth" or taxes paid by the vassal states.

All impediments were removed by the tribal uprisings in the north-west. This turned the Mughals` attention away from Deccan. Fruitless were the Mughals` invasion-attempts against the Marathas.

Shivaji, climbing up the highest strata of success and fame, coronated himself at Raigarh, as the Chhatrapati or the King of kings on 16th June , 1674.

In the peak of supremacy , he allied with the Sultan of Golkunda. This favoured his endeavour to make Jinji, Vellore, and the adjacent areas his property in 1677. Western Carnatic was also within his royal realms.

Therefore , all through this consistent pursuer of power retained his resolution to win over all odds in his way. He was that great architect who steadily built an independent Hindu kingdom, integrating the scattered Marathas into a harmonious whole of the Maratha Confederacy.